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Marge Elderberry Bush

$5995 $13995
Size: 2 Gallon
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Risk-Free 1 Year Warranty
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Your Plants are Guaranteed to Grow

Your plants are guaranteed to arrive happy & healthy with our 1 Year Warranty. Your order will arrive healthy and stay healthy while they adapt to your climate. If your tree arrives damaged or dies within 30 days, we'll replace it for free. If it dies after 30 days, but before 1 year, we will replace it for just 50% of the current price.

Free Shipping on All Orders

Relax... we've got you covered with free shipping on every order! We ship out so many huge plants, we've negotiated a low rate with our carriers... and we pass those savings on to you! Your plants will ship out the next business day... expertly packed so that your plants will arrive happy and healthy!

Is Now a Good Time to Plant?

Yes! Fall is one of the best times to plant!

Landscaping experts often recommend planting in fall instead of waiting until spring. Here’s why:

  • Cooler weather puts less stress on newly planted trees and shrubs.
  • Fall soil is still warm, which helps roots grow and get established.
  • Cooler temperatures mean less water is lost through the leaves, making it easier for plants to stay hydrated.
  • Even after top growth slows for winter, roots continue developing below ground.
  • Fall weather often brings more rain and less heat, making new plants easier to care for.
  • By spring, your plants already have a head start. Their established roots can support strong new leaves, branches, and flowers.
  • Trees planted in spring must establish their roots while also dealing with rising temperatures and summer heat.

Plant this fall, and your trees can spend the cooler months getting settled instead of waiting until spring to get started!

Planting your Marge Elderberry Bush

Planting Instructions for Marge Elderberry (Sambucus nigra 'Marge')

  1. Site Selection and Soil Preparation:
  • Location: Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade. While Marge Elderberry will tolerate some shade, more sun exposure (6+ hours per day) leads to better flowering and fruiting.
  • Soil: Elderberries thrive in moist, well-draining soil that is slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.5-7.0). They tolerate a variety of soil types but prefer loamy, organically rich soil. If your soil is poor or drains poorly, amend it with compost to improve fertility and drainage.
  • Digging: Dig a hole twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball. This allows the roots to spread out and establish quickly.
  1. Planting:
  • Place the Marge Elderberry in the hole, making sure the top of the root ball is level with or slightly above the surrounding soil.
  • Backfill the hole with the soil you removed, mixing in some compost if needed, and gently tamp it down to eliminate air pockets.
  • Water thoroughly after planting to help settle the soil.
  • Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base of the plant, keeping it a few inches away from the trunk. Mulch helps conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

Care Instructions

  1. Watering: Marge Elderberries prefer consistent moisture, especially during the first year of establishment. Water deeply once or twice a week, depending on rainfall and soil conditions. The soil should remain moist but not soggy, particularly during hot, dry periods.
  2. Fertilizing: Elderberries typically do not need heavy fertilizing if planted in rich soil. However, you can apply a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) in early spring to encourage growth. Alternatively, adding compost or well-rotted manure annually will provide steady nutrients and improve soil structure.
  3. Monitoring: Keep an eye on the plant for signs of water stress (wilting or yellowing leaves) or pests like aphids, borers, or spider mites. Proper watering and maintaining good air circulation around the plant will help prevent most issues.

Maintenance and Long-Term Care

  1. Pruning: Marge Elderberry benefits from pruning in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Remove any dead or damaged branches and thin out older canes to stimulate new growth, as elderberries produce the best fruit on young wood. You can also shape the plant for better airflow and sun penetration.
  2. Pest and Disease Control: Elderberries are generally hardy, but they can occasionally attract pests like aphids, spider mites, and borers. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil to treat infestations. Powdery mildew or canker can occur in humid conditions, so ensure the plant has good air circulation and avoid overhead watering.
  3. Harvesting: Marge Elderberries will produce small, dark purple-black berries in late summer. Harvest the clusters when they are fully ripe and deep in color. Be sure to wait until they are ripe, as unripe berries can be mildly toxic. The berries are excellent for making jams, syrups, and wines.

Winter Care

  • Marge Elderberry is hardy in USDA zones 4-7, so it generally needs no winter protection. In colder climates, mulching heavily around the base in late fall can protect the roots from extreme cold and temperature fluctuations.

Harvesting and Use Instructions for Marge Elderberry (Sambucus nigra 'Marge')

Harvesting:

  • Timing: Elderberries typically ripen in late summer to early fall. You’ll know the berries are ready to harvest when they turn a deep, almost blackish-purple color and the clusters droop from the weight of the fruit.
  • Method: Use sharp garden shears or scissors to clip the entire cluster of berries from the plant. Handle the clusters gently, as the berries can be delicate and bruise easily.
  • Avoid Unripe Berries: Be sure to pick only the fully ripe berries. Unripe green berries contain cyanogenic compounds and can be toxic if consumed.

Preparation and Use:

  • Cleaning: After harvesting, gently remove the berries from the stems (you can use a fork to strip them) and rinse them thoroughly to remove any debris.
  • Raw Consumption: Do not eat raw elderberries as they can cause nausea and other symptoms. The berries should always be cooked before use to neutralize any toxins.
  • Culinary Uses:
  • Jams and Jellies: Elderberries are perfect for making flavorful jams and jellies. Simply cook the berries down with sugar and pectin to create a delicious spread.
  • Syrups: Cook elderberries with water and sugar to make a syrup. Elderberry syrup is popular for its potential immune-boosting properties and is often used as a natural remedy during cold and flu season.
  • Wine and Cordials: Marge elderberries are also ideal for making homemade elderberry wine or cordials. The fruit’s rich, dark color and flavor make for excellent fermenting.
  • Medicinal Uses: Elderberries are known for their high antioxidant content and potential health benefits. Many people use cooked elderberries in syrups or teas to support immune function and reduce cold symptoms. However, always consult with a healthcare professional before using elderberry products medicinally.
  1. Storage:
  • Refrigeration: Freshly harvested elderberries can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week, but they are best used or preserved as soon as possible after picking.
  • Freezing: To preserve elderberries for later use, spread the cleaned berries in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze them. Once frozen, transfer the berries to an airtight container or freezer bag. Frozen elderberries can be stored for up to 6 months and used directly in recipes that require cooking.
What Customers say about the Marge Elderberry Bush:

The Marge Elderberry Bush thrives in Zones 4-7

Growing Zones for the Marge Elderberry Bush

If you live in the green area above, we recommend the Marge Elderberry Bush.

Your Growing Zone
Recommended Zones 4-7
Mature Height 6-8 ft.
Mature Width 3-4 ft.
Cannot Ship To AZ, OR
Sunlight Full Sun
Botanical Name Sambucus nigra 'Marge'

Plants that Make a Difference

For 20+ years, our team has shipped healthy, established plants to gardeners like you- all across the country. Every plant is selected and cared for by our plant experts before it ships to your door.

  • 20+ Years Experience

  • Superior Quality

  • Free Shipping on All Orders

  • Guaranteed to Grow

Close-up of delicate white elderberry flowers in full bloom against green foliage.

Beware- not all Marge Elderberry Bushes are the same.

Be sure to get superior elderberry bushes, grown by experts.

Better Roots Make Stronger Plants: Some nurseries send you "bare root" elderberry bushes to save on shipping. Even worse, others have started digging them right out of the ground before shipping. This causes major transplant shock and long-term damage. We send you Marge Elderberry Bushes in soil-filled containers- ensuring a well-developed root system that is ready to grow and produce!

Healthy Plants: We've seen other nurseries grow tall elderberry bushes in tiny pots to save on shipping. This leads to a "root bound" shrub, where the roots have outgrown their pot- they cannot absorb water and nutrients. They quickly dry out during shipment, leading to an unhealthy shrub.

A glass bottle filled with dark elderberry syrup next to fresh elderberries on a wooden surface.

The Marge Elderberry is known for heavy harvests of large, dark berries- and it's a pretty shrub in the landscape too.

  • Large clusters of deep purple-black berries for jams, jellies, syrups, pies and wine
  • Creamy white flower clusters in late spring that attract bees
  • Self-pollinating- a second elderberry nearby can improve yields
  • Upright shrub 6-8 ft. tall and 3-4 ft. wide, hardy in zones 4-7

Not all plants are created equal

The Difference Is in the Roots

Every plant we ship has grown in a nursery container with its roots protected, so it arrives healthy, established and ready to thrive in your yard.

A full, branched Nationwide Plants tree in a nursery pot next to a thin bare-root tree with exposed roots Ours: container grown Theirs: bare root
Nationwide Plants Other Nurseries
How it's grown Grown in a nursery container, roots protected the whole time Pulled or dug from the field, tearing fragile roots
How it arrives Arrives in its pot with soil intact Arrives bare root, exposed and drying out
Before shipping Growing naturally until it ships Held dormant in a cooler, then shocked by a hot shipping box
Root health Strong, well-developed roots with room to grow Crammed into a small pot until it's root bound
Height Measured from the top of the soil Often includes the pot and roots
After planting Settles in quickly with less transplant shock Arrives stressed and can take years to recover, if it does

The height you see is the height you plant.

We measure every plant from the top of the soil, not the bottom of the pot. Many nurseries include the pot and roots, so a "5–6 ft." tree from them might stand only 4 ft. tall once it's planted.

Comparisons reflect common practices across the online plant industry, not any single company.

Honest Measurements: Some nurseries measure plants including the pot and roots, so the plant you receive is much smaller than you expected. We measure all of our plants from the soil line, so the height you see is what you can expect after planting.

From our nursery to your door

How We Ship Your Plants

Every order is hand-selected, watered and carefully packed so it arrives healthy and ready to plant. Here's what happens after you place your order.

  1. Hand-Picked for You

    Our team selects the best plant available for your order. For privacy trees, that's the tallest and fullest. For fruit trees, it's the best branched.

    Why it matters: Many online nurseries ship whatever is next in the row.

  2. A Deep Drink Before the Trip

    Every plant gets a thorough watering right before it's packed, so it starts the journey fully hydrated.

  3. Roots Sealed In

    We wrap the pot and roots in plastic to lock in moisture, so your plant has water to drink all the way to your door.

    Why it matters: Bare-root plants are often shipped with their roots exposed and drying out.

  4. Braced for the Ride

    Cardboard inserts are secured inside every box to hold your plant in place, so it won't slide, tip or get damaged in transit.

  5. Shipped Only by FedEx

    We ship your trees exclusively with FedEx. We've found they deliver the fastest and handle live plants the most gently.

And if anything goes wrong, every plant is backed by our 1 Year Warranty.

Healthy Roots Make a Huge Difference

  • Never buy bare-root plants. These trees are starved of nutrients, and have a low survival rate.
  • Beware of nurseries cut corners by growing in small pots. These "rootbound" plants are weak, struggle to absorb nutrients, and die quickly after planting.
  • Some nurseries try to sell oversized plants, but chop off vital roots so they can cram the rootball into a narrow box to save on shipping!

You Want Marge Elderberry Bushes Grown by Experts

Some nurseries ship thin, weak fruiting shrubs grown in tiny pots to save money. These "root bound" plants can spend years recovering before they give you a real harvest.

Nationwide Plants only sends you strong Marge Elderberry Bushes, selected and cared for by our plant experts, with healthy, developed root systems. A strong start helps your bush settle in quickly and start producing berries sooner.

Read more about the Marge Elderberry Bush

Marge Elderberry

Vigorous Growth and Bountiful Harvests of Large, Juicy Berries

The Marge Elderberry (Sambucus nigra 'Marge') is the perfect combination of beauty and productivity, making it an ideal addition to your garden or edible landscape. Known for its heavy yields of large, flavorful berries and its resilience in various growing conditions, this European elderberry variety offers an abundance of benefits. Whether you're planting for its striking ornamental appeal or its juicy berries perfect for making jams, jellies, syrups, and wines, the Marge Elderberry is a fantastic choice for gardeners looking to add a versatile, productive shrub to their garden.

Beautiful and Bountiful

The Marge Elderberry is not just an excellent fruiting plant—it’s also an attractive landscape shrub. Its dark green, serrated leaves create a dense, bushy form that adds texture and greenery to any space. In the late spring, this elderberry produces clusters of creamy white flowers that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, filling your garden with life. By late summer, those flowers turn into large clusters of deep purple-black berries, prized for their versatility in the kitchen and rich nutritional benefits.

The berries are larger than those produced by typical elderberry varieties, making the Marge Elderberry an excellent choice for gardeners who want to maximize their harvests.

Why Choose the Marge Elderberry?

  • Heavy Yields of Large Berries: The Marge Elderberry produces exceptionally large, juicy berries that are perfect for making elderberry syrups, jams, pies, wines, and more. This variety is known for its prolific fruiting, offering an abundance of berries each season.
  • Cold Hardy and Resilient: This elderberry is incredibly cold-hardy and can withstand temperatures down to USDA Zones 4-7, making it suitable for a variety of climates. It’s also tolerant of different soil types and moisture levels.
  • Easy to Grow: The Marge Elderberry is low-maintenance, thriving with minimal care once established. Its vigorous growth and resistance to pests and diseases make it a great choice for gardeners of all skill levels.
  • Ornamental Value: With its lush green foliage and showy clusters of white flowers, the Marge Elderberry adds beauty to your landscape even when it’s not producing fruit. The flowers also attract pollinators, making your garden a haven for bees and butterflies.

Ideal Placement and Uses

  • Edible Landscapes: The Marge Elderberry is perfect for gardeners who want a shrub that’s both ornamental and functional. Use it in your edible garden for a reliable source of delicious berries while enhancing the beauty of your space.
  • Hedges and Privacy Screens: Plant the Marge Elderberry in rows to create a dense hedge or natural privacy screen. Its fast-growing, bushy form will provide coverage while also delivering edible rewards.
  • Wildlife Gardens: The berries attract birds, and the flowers bring in pollinators, making the Marge Elderberry a great choice for wildlife-friendly gardens.
  • Baking, Cooking, and Preserving: Whether you’re making elderberry wine, syrup, or jelly, this plant delivers all the fresh, flavorful berries you need for your culinary creations.

Growing Tips

  • Light: Plant your Marge Elderberry in full sun to partial shade. It performs best with at least 6 hours of sunlight per day for maximum fruit production.
  • Watering: Water regularly during the first growing season to help establish a strong root system. Once established, the Marge Elderberry is fairly drought-tolerant but performs best with consistent moisture.
  • Soil: This elderberry prefers well-drained soil but is adaptable to a wide range of soil types, including loam, clay, and sandy soils.
  • Fertilization: Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring to encourage healthy growth and a bountiful berry harvest. Organic compost can also be applied to enrich the soil.
  • Pruning: Prune annually in late winter or early spring to remove dead or damaged branches and to shape the plant. Regular pruning encourages new growth and can enhance fruit production.

Why Buy from Nationwide Plants?

When you purchase a Marge Elderberry from Nationwide Plants, you’re choosing quality, care, and expert service. Our plants are:

  • Healthy and well-established, ensuring they’re ready to thrive in your garden from the moment they arrive.
  • Fast, secure shipping guarantees that your elderberry arrives in peak condition, ready to plant.
  • Expert advice from our team helps you care for and enjoy a productive elderberry shrub for years to come.

Whether you’re looking to add a reliable fruiting plant to your edible garden or simply want a low-maintenance shrub that brings beauty and wildlife to your space, the Marge Elderberry is an excellent choice. With its large, flavorful berries and easy care, it’s sure to become a favorite in your landscape.

Order your Marge Elderberry today and enjoy homegrown elderberries for all your favorite recipes!

Frequently Asked Questions about the Marge Elderberry Bush

How big does a Marge Elderberry get?

A Marge Elderberry grows about 6 to 8 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide, forming a dense, bushy shrub with dark green serrated leaves. Thinning older canes each late winter keeps it productive and open, and the upright size fits well into edible landscapes and hedgerows.

Is Marge Elderberry self-pollinating?

Yes, Marge Elderberry is listed as self-pollinating, so a single plant can produce fruit on its own. Many growers still find that planting a second elderberry variety nearby improves pollination and yields, and the fragrant spring flowers attract bees that help with fruit set.

When do Marge elderberries ripen?

Marge elderberries ripen in late summer to early fall. The berries are ready when they turn a deep, almost blackish-purple and the clusters droop from the weight of the fruit. Cut whole clusters with sharp shears, then strip the berries from the stems.

Are Marge elderberries safe to eat raw?

Only fully ripe Marge elderberries should be used, because unripe berries can be mildly toxic. Stems, leaves, and unripe fruit should not be eaten, and ripe elderberries are traditionally cooked before eating. They make excellent jams, jellies, syrups, pies, and wines.

What zones does Marge Elderberry grow in?

Marge Elderberry grows in USDA zones 4 through 7 and generally needs no special winter protection there. In the coldest areas, a heavy layer of mulch around the base in late fall helps protect the roots from extreme cold and freeze-thaw swings.

How much sun does a Marge Elderberry need?

A Marge Elderberry performs best in full sun, with 6 or more hours of direct light each day, which produces the heaviest flowering and fruiting. It will tolerate some partial shade, but expect fewer flower clusters and a smaller berry harvest in shadier spots.

How do you prune a Marge Elderberry?

Prune a Marge Elderberry in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Remove dead or damaged branches and thin out older canes to stimulate vigorous young growth, since elderberries produce their best fruit on younger wood. Shaping also improves airflow and sun penetration.

How often should I water a Marge Elderberry?

Water a Marge Elderberry deeply once or twice a week, especially during its first year. Elderberries like consistent moisture, so keep the soil moist but not soggy through hot, dry spells. A 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch helps conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

What soil does a Marge Elderberry need?

A Marge Elderberry thrives in moist, well-draining, organically rich loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 5.5 to 7.0. It tolerates many soil types, but amending poor or slow-draining soil with compost improves fertility and helps the shrub establish quickly.

Can a Marge Elderberry ship to Arizona or Oregon?

No, the Marge Elderberry cannot be shipped to Arizona or Oregon because of state plant shipping restrictions. Customers in other states can order it in a 2 gallon size, ready to plant in a sunny spot with moist, well-drained soil.
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